Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots have signed five-year Major League outfielder Julio Borbon for the 2018 season.

“This is something that I am really excited about,” said Borbon. “A lot of my former teammates have said great things about Somerset and the league. I am very excited to continue my career because I remain really passionate about the game. I can’t wait to bring my passion and energy to the team and the city.”

Borbon enters his first season with the Somerset Patriots and first in the Atlantic League. The speedy outfielder has five years of service in the big leagues, including three with the Texas Rangers (2009-11), one with the Chicago Cubs (2013) and one with the Baltimore Orioles (2016). He broke onto the scene with a .312 average and 19 stolen bases over 46 games in 2009. Borbon played 137 games with the Rangers the next season and hit .276 with 15 steals and a career-high 42 RBI.

The Nolensville, Tennessee resident played in 32 games with the Rangers in 2011 before appearing in 72 games with the Cubs in 2013. Borbon has hit .273 with eight home runs, 76 RBI and 47 stolen bases over his five seasons in the Majors.

“We are thrilled to be joined by Julio this season,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “Julio possesses many great baseball attributes. He is an extremely tough out at the plate, has the ability to drive in runs and can leave the yard at times. He is also a stolen base threat and a tremendous defensive outfielder. So we are getting a very complete player on the field and a great guy in our clubhouse. We can’t wait to get Julio into camp and get things started.”

Borbon split time between Acereros de Monclova and Pericos de Puebla in the Mexican league last year where he ranked among league leaders. He finished third in the league in hitting (.365) and sixth in steals (20) over 90 combined games. That includes 35 games with 2018 Patriot and former big league outfielder Endy Chavez for Puebla.

The former first round draft pick from the University of Tennessee spent the previous three seasons in the Orioles organization between the Double-A, Triple-A and Major League levels. That includes a 34-steal campaign for Triple-A Norfolk in 2014, 23 steals in 2015 and 27 steals in 2016. Borbon owns a .294 average with 31 home runs, 264 RBI, 209 stolen bases and a .345 on-base percentage over nine seasons in the minors.

The Somerset Patriots led the Atlantic League in attendance and made their 14th appearance in the playoffs last season. The Somerset Patriots will welcome their 7,000,000th fan in their 20th season at TD Bank Ballpark in 2018. Tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Season presented by Ford beginning at home on Friday, April 27th. For more information, please visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.